Terror kids alerts soar

Under-15 extremism cases leap 20% and far-right up by 36%

DEFENCE Sajid Javid THOUSANDS of children and teens have been flagged up to authorities over terror concerns, official figures reveal.

In the 12 months to March this year, 2,009 under-15s were referred to the Government’s Prevent programme.

It is a 20% increase and includes 297 girls. More than half of those reported for possible de-radicalisation in 2017/18 were aged 20 or under.

In total, there were 7,318 referrals to Prevent in 2017/18, up by 20% on 2016/17. The number relating to right-wing extremism rose by 36% from 968 to 1,312.

Most of the referrals related to suspected Islamic extremism, but that category fell by 14%.

Prevent aims to stop people supporting terrorism. Of those referred, 42% left the process requiring no further action.

Just 18% were discussed by the Channel support system and of those 394 went on to receive support, including 114 under-15s.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid said Prevent stops young people being “preyed on by extremists”.